MSU's Tom Izzo ‘talked seriously’ about NBA job with Phoenix Suns
Tom Izzo has been a Spartan his entire head coaching career, but a year ago he nearly went pro. On the Dan Patrick Show, Izzo said Wednesday that he “talked seriously” about taking a job as head coach for the Phoenix Suns last season, the same NBA team owned by former player and MSU donor Mat Ishbia. He turned it down and came back, leading Michigan State to a 27-8 season and a Sweet 16 berth.
“I’ve had more than a couple job offers in the NBA and looked at one last year with Phoenix,” Izzo said. “… That was hard. That was a hard thing to turn down because number one I kind of wanted to go with him.
… And then number two is, I’ve been pretty vocal about it, I don’t like what’s going on in college athletics. But by the way, neither do 99. 8% of the football and basketball coaches in America.
” Michigan State HC Tom Izzo reveals he was in talks with the Phoenix #Suns : "I've had more than a couple job offers in the NBA, looked at one last year with Phoenix – my former player Mat Ishbia. That was hard, that was a hard thing to turn down... we talked seriously about it.
" pic. twitter. com/kjSIJreIWz — Dan Patrick Show (@dpshow) April 1, 2026 Izzo is the winningest head coach in Big Ten history and owns a career 764-309 record with one national championship and eight Final Four appearances.